Grand Rapids Personal Injury Blog

 Posted on November 18, 2020 in Personal Injury

Nursing home abuse and neglect are serious problems throughout the United States, affecting approximately 5 million people each year. Many victims are afraid or uncertain as to how they can stop the abuse, and it is not always easy for a victim’s family members to recognize that abuse is happening. If you have a loved one who is living in an elder care facility, it is important that you watch out for possible signs of abuse so that you can protect your loved one and take legal action.

Common Indicators of Nursing Home Abuse in Grand Rapids

Entrusting your family member’s care with another party is often a difficult decision to make, but in most circumstances, it is necessary if your loved one cannot live on his or her own anymore. Any of the following signs can possibly point to nursing home abuse or neglect:

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 Posted on November 03, 2020 in Personal Injury

After a June car crash that took the life of an 18-year-old Grand Rapids, MI resident, questions regarding the legal consequences of serving alcohol to a minor have come to the forefront in the local community. In this case, the victim died in a single-car accident and was found to have a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level after drinking at a party at the home of one of his classmate’s parents. While charges in the case are still pending, it is important to understand what Michigan law says on this subject in case you or a loved one is involved in a similar drunk driving accident.

Social Host Liability in Michigan

Michigan law statutes are clear that a business, such as a bar, brewery, restaurant, or liquor store, that sells or serves alcohol to a minor or a visibly intoxicated person can be considered liable for injuries and other damages that person causes as a result of his or her intoxication. However, cases may become more complicated when the person who served or provided the alcohol was the host of a party in his or her own home, rather than the operator of a business.

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 Posted on October 27, 2020 in Personal Injury

Construction can be a dangerous job, involving heavy machinery, close contact with potential electrical and gas hazards, and risky work environments. Medical expenses and lost wages from on-the-job injuries can usually be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation benefits, but as a recent Michigan case illustrates, many construction site accidents involve third-party liability, which opens up another avenue for pursuing compensation in the form of a personal injury lawsuit.

Dangers for Michigan Road Construction Workers

In recent weeks, a road construction worker in East Michigan was struck and killed by a passing driver in a hit-and-run accident. This incident is one of several that have affected Michigan road construction employees over the years, and it is representative of the risk of injury due to a negligent party that many construction workers face. Road construction workers are particularly susceptible to drunk and distracted drivers, as well as those who fail to obey reduced speed limits in construction zones.

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 Posted on October 13, 2020 in Personal Injury

A correctly selected and installed child restraint can reduce the risk of severe injury in a car accident. Michigan updated its child passenger safety requirements effective April 2, 2025, so parents and caregivers should not rely on older age-only guidance.

Michigan’s Current Child Passenger Safety Requirements

• Rear-facing: A child must remain rear-facing until reaching the maximum height or weight allowed by the seat manufacturer or turning 2 years old.
• Forward-facing harness: The child then uses a forward-facing seat with an internal five-point harness until reaching the manufacturer’s height or weight limit or turning 5.
• Booster seat: The child then uses a belt-positioning booster with a lap-and-shoulder belt until reaching 4 feet 9 inches tall or turning 8.

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 Posted on September 28, 2020 in Personal Injury

Motorcyclists have little protection from the force of a collision. Even when a rider wears a helmet and protective clothing, a crash can cause injuries that require emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, or time away from work. Some symptoms also develop gradually, so the seriousness of an injury may not be obvious at the scene.

After a Michigan motorcycle accident, prompt medical evaluation can protect both your health and the documentation of your claim. Tell the treating provider about every symptom, including headache, dizziness, numbness, weakness, and increasing pain.

Injuries Frequently Seen After Motorcycle Crashes

• Head and brain injuries: A concussion or traumatic brain injury may cause confusion, memory problems, headaches, sleep changes, or sensitivity to light and noise.
• Spinal and nerve injuries: Trauma to the neck, back, or spinal cord can cause chronic pain, limited movement, weakness, or paralysis.

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 Posted on September 13, 2020 in Personal Injury

Michigan uses a no-fault auto insurance system, but “no-fault” does not mean that fault never matters. After a car accident, first-party insurance benefits and a claim against a negligent driver address different losses. The policy choices made before a crash can also affect which medical expenses are covered.

What Michigan PIP Benefits May Cover

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is part of Michigan auto insurance. Subject to the policy and applicable law, PIP benefits may include allowable medical and rehabilitation expenses, wage-loss benefits, replacement services, and certain survivor benefits. These benefits are generally available without requiring the injured person to prove who caused the crash.

Medical PIP is only one part of PIP coverage. Michigan drivers currently have six medical-coverage choices, ranging from unlimited benefits to limited options and, for people who meet specific health-coverage requirements, exclusions or an opt-out. Choosing a lower medical limit may reduce premiums, but it can also leave less auto-insurance coverage available after a serious injury.

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 Posted on September 12, 2020 in Personal Injury

Many personal injury claims filed following a car accident are based on negligence. If a driver is negligent, that means that he or she failed to exercise reasonable care toward other people on the roadways when operating their vehicle.

Proving negligence requires you to establish these four elements:

• Duty – All motorists have a legal duty to other drivers and parties on the roadways to operate their vehicles in accordance with the law act responsibly behind the wheel.
• Breach of duty – When a driver fails to adhere to traffic laws or drives recklessly, he or she has breached the duty owed to others.
• Causation – The driver’s negligence must have directly and proximately caused the accident and the victim’s injuries and damages.
• Damages – The victim must have suffered injuries and damages as a result of the accident

Common Forms of Driver Negligence

If you have been in a car accident that you did not cause, it is likely that the other driver broke one or more traffic laws. Some of the most common forms of driver negligence include:

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